Recently I was shocked by a good friend who said she was leery of getting the Covid-19 vaccine because she didn’t “trust the government.” She went on to mention that she didn’t get flu shots either. She was the second friend to question getting the shots; both are intelligent and reasonable people.
My friend’s reluctance to seek out the “jab” strikes me as just plain wrong. Most of us were delighted and relieved to get the vaccine in view of how the pandemic threatened us and savaged the population with over a half million deaths to date. I just don’t get it.
I understand that it is prudent to be careful and that we are free to make our own decisions. But to eschew the vaccines in this case flies in the face of common sense as well as scientific evidence. Are we not to trust anyone—the government, pharmaceutical companies, the medical authorities? What evidence exists that contradicts our taking this vaccine?
I know about the anti-vaxxers, and I am aware that some minorities have been abused and don’t trust authorities in general. I also know that the government sometimes makes mistakes. The previous administration’s failure to take the pandemic seriously and its discouragement of precautions such as wearing masks seriously undermined both the urgency and confidence in taking vaccines. The result was that many people died needlessly.
Ever since 1796 when Edward Jenner pioneered vaccines by inoculating young 8-year-old James Phipps for smallpox, humanity has been the beneficiary of vaccines which have saved countless lives. Beginning in childhood, we get numerous inoculations, including smallpox and polio. History and statistics show that these vaccines have been enormously effective in preventing illness and saving lives. Yet if you believe recent polls, something like 50% of Republicans say that they will not get the vaccine.
Many people don’t trust the government because of the cavalier arrogant disregard of the consequences of governmental actions as implemented by bureaucrats at the whims of political opportunists. Science caught up in all that can get a little wobbly too.
It is not a given that the best and brightest scientists are those nearing the end of their long and honorable tenure in government service. There are equally qualified dissenting opinions.
Closer to today’s hot headlines, the police are not the only government functionaries with qualified immunity. If we know that the regulators and politicians, each one a good educated person just doing the hard work of managing the lives and property of other people as best they are able, are exempt from personal responsibility would not some wariness be reasonable?
For decades the FDA has dictated a byzantine approval process that is astonishingly costly and slooow. Approval of a new vaccine takes about twelve years. During the twelve years required to clear the hurdles, many people die. But now we have a vaccine approved in twelve months.
If twelve years is just the right rigor to assure public safety, doesn’t twelve months seem a bit quick?
Not surprising that some would make the personal decision to slow walk towards a vaccine. After decades of promotion, only about 50% of folk get flu shots. Why would Covid be different?
You are spot on about people not trusting the government when “political opportunists” are in charge. I just wish you had pointed this out when the former president, his vice president, cabinet officials and the CDC chief ignored, distorted and outright lied about the pandemic. You might also have mentioned that if more than 50% of us got the flu shot annually that, just maybe, 50 – 60,000 people wouldn’t die from the flu every year. And by the way, with a total of over 565,000 deaths from COVID to date, it is now the number three killer statistically. I’ll take my chances with the present vaccine even though it was developed in record time. In this case, skepticism is wrongheaded in my opinion.
These times breed nothing but skepticism, amigo. Are you planning on visiting the capital any time soon? Maybe taking some youth on a field trip to see the political engine at work? Not me. Am considering vaccine.
I am wondering whether your decision to take the vaccine is the positive result of a strong argument for doing so or whether it came about because of some sort of arm twisting?
I want you to keep guessing!